King Kong: Jean-Luc Ponty Plays the Music of Frank Zappa (or simply King Kong) is an album by French jazz fusion artist Jean-Luc Ponty first released in May 1970 on Liberty Records' World Pacific Records subsidiary label and later released on Blue Note. The album contains numerous selections Zappa had previously recorded either with the Mothers of Invention or under his own name, including: "King Kong", originally included on the Mothers' 1969 album Uncle Meat.

Who is Jean Luc-Ponty? Well, he's a violinist who gained notoriety after many stints with the Mothers of Invention, and this 1969 album proves his connection with the group, with the entire album (save for one piece) being slightly re-arranged Frank Zappa songs. The selection of Mothers songs is also quite nice, ranging from King Kong to Idiot Bastard Son, which are both classic Zappa songs. Here, we are rid of these sometimes insufferable mannerisms and we are therefore much more at ease to appreciate the compositional genius of Francesco.

King Kong: Jean Luc Ponty Plays The Music Of Frank Zappa - 1971 - 05 - Music For Electric Violin And LBO 19:25.

King Kong: Jean-Luc Ponty Plays the Music of Frank Zappa was an active collaboration; Frank Zappa arranged all of the selections, played guitar on one, and contributed a new, nearly 20-minute orchestral composition for the occasion. Made in the wake of Ponty's appearance on Zappa's jazz-rock masterpiece Hot Rats, these 1969 recordings were significant developments in both musicians' careers. Jean Luc Ponty plays Frank Zappa tunes with the Mothers of Invention. The jazz performances are bold and solid on some tracks and gently touching on others. Hearing "Idiot Bastard Son" and "Twenty Small Cigars" again brought me to tears.